B.C. is marking the International Day of Persons with Disabilities with the launch of a provincewide consultation on issues facing people with disabilities in British Columbia.

"This is something that affects almost every British Columbian at some point in their lives," said Social Development and Social Innovation Minister Don McRae. "We all have a stake and a role to play-family, friends, communities, employers, non-profits and governments. This consultation gives us the opportunity to work together toward becoming the most progressive place for people with disabilities to live in Canada."

The consultation, which will be held online and face-to-face in communities throughout the province, is led by a leadership team representing the disability and business communities working alongside government. Two advisory groups, the Minister's Council on Employment and Accessibility, and the Presidents Group, are in place to help drive the conversation.

"It is really important to get the perspective of all people with disabilities, as well as their family, friends and communities," said Carla Qualtrough, human rights lawyer, two-time Paralympian and chair of the Minister's Council on Employment and Accessibility. "We want to hear from everyone who has something to contribute to enrich the discussion and enrich the outcome."

"We will be working with the business community to dispel some of the myths that may be holding businesses back from hiring people with disabilities," said Tamara Vrooman, president and CEO, Vancity and co-chair of the Presidents Group. "At the same time, we'll be encouraging workplaces to understand the benefits of hiring people with disabilities."

Feedback from the consultation will inform the development of a white paper, a document that will reflect public feedback and ideas. The paper will be shared at a provincial summit in June 2014 that will bring together a diverse group of leaders to develop strategies and actions for addressing the issues facing people with disabilities in British Columbia.

The Minister's Council on Employment and Accessibility was established in February 2012, with business, community and family representatives, to find innovative solutions to increase employment and improve supports for people with disabilities.

The Presidents Group is an advisory committee to government comprised of business leaders who will create a network of influential business leaders in B.C. to champion advice, employment and consumer opportunities and improved outcomes for people with disabilities.

Key dates:

Dec. 3, 2013 - International Day of Persons with Disabilities

• B.C. starts public consultation

March 11, 2014 - Anniversary of Canada's ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

• B.C.'s public consultation period will close at 4 p.m.

May 2014

• B.C. will release the Disability White Paper

June 2014

• A provincial summit will bring together disability, business, government and community representatives to develop strategies and actions to make B.C. a leader in reducing barriers and increasing accessibility for people living with disabilities in B.C.

Learn More:

Visit the Disability White Paper Consultation website: http://engage.gov.bc.ca/disabilitywhitepaper/

View and use the consultation video: http://youtu.be/1PtxfqNv_Os

For more information on the Minister's Council on Employment and Accessibility, visit: http://www.hsd.gov.bc.ca/epwd/Index.htm

For more information on the Presidents Group please visit: http://www.hsd.gov.bc.ca/epwd/presidents-group.htm

View a list of cross-government services for people with disabilities: http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/topic.page?id=CBD8D48F126A462FBF1DE597318DE5AE

A backgrounder follows.

Media Contact:

Joanne Whittier
Communications Manager
Ministry of Social Development and Social Innovation
250 356-1670

BACKGROUNDER

B.C. launches consultation, marks International Day of Persons with Disabilities

There are several options for participating in the consultation:

• Online consultation: Have your say about how we, as a society, can increase accessibility and reduce barriers for people living with disabilities in B.C.
• Host a discussion using the disability conversation toolkit and submit it to government - available for download from the consultation site: http://engage.gov.bc.ca/disabilitywhitepaper
• Participate in an in-person community consultation from Jan. 20 - Feb. 28. Visit the consultation website to find a community consultation in your area:
• Jan. 20 Courtenay
• Jan. 21 Prince George
• Jan. 22 Prince George
• Jan. 22 Quesnel
• Jan. 28 Vancouver
• Jan. 29 West Vancouver
• Jan. 30 Surrey (two separate consultations)
• Feb. 4 Kamloops
• Feb. 5 Vernon
• Feb. 6 Kelowna
• Feb. 11 Richmond
• Feb. 12 Port Moody
• Feb. 13 Abbotsford
• Feb. 18 Cranbrook
• Feb. 20 Fort St. John
• Feb. 24 Terrace
• Feb. 26 Victoria (two separate consultations)

Media Contact:

Joanne Whittier
Communications Manager
Ministry of Social Development and Social Innovation
250 356-1670